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SMALL GROUP TOURS Spring Elegance CLASSIC 13 Nights Tokyo > Matsumoto > Takayama > Kanazawa > Kyoto > Hakone > Tokyo Float down the Sumida River Tour Overview to Tokyo’s beautiful Hamarikyu Gardens Spring is when Japan casts off its winter blanket and really lets its hair down. Every park Follow in the footsteps of samurai is packed with revelers gathered beneath the by visiting one of Japan’s best- cherry blossoms, festivals are underway across preserved castles in Matsumoto the country and nearly everyone embraces the party-like atmosphere. This really is a wonderful Explore traditional thatched time to travel. farmhouses at the Hida no Sato No trip to Japan would be complete without folk village in the Japanese Alps seeing something of the big city, and your tour will be bookended by stays amongst Admire the world-famous the skyscrapers of Tokyo. You’ll receive an Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa introduction to Japanese cuisine at a local restaurant and view Tokyo from the waters of the Sumida River. Teahouses, shrines, temples Meet a maiko (trainee geisha) and gardens give respite from the bustle of this and attend a performance of the great metropolis, providing a contrast with the Kanazawa Matsumoto Tokyo Takayama spring geisha dances in Kyoto futuristic cityscape for which the city is famous. Mount Fuji Ponder Picasso and wander In the Japanese Alps, the city of Matsumoto Hakone amongst the sculptures at and the craft town of Takayama offer a trip to the iconic Black Crow castle and an excursion Kyoto Hakone’s Open-Air Art Museum to Hida no Sato Village respectively. The former is one of Japan’s most impressive samurai castles, whilst the latter is an open-air museum IJT CLASSIC TOURS showcasing the steeply thatched, “praying hands” farmhouses typical of the region. Mid-range tours that cover Japan’s classic sights or interest-specific itineraries (e.g. Kanazawa offers a glimpse of life in a small, hiking, cultural activities, specific regions) beautifully preserved traditional city, which has embraced the arts for centuries. Three days in Kyoto, meanwhile, will induct you Style Facts into Japan’s other great cultural city. The • Three-star accommodation highlights here include an audience with a maiko (apprentice geisha) and tickets to the • En suite rooms in all locations (except at Miyako Odori: the annual geisha dances given some unique traditional accommodation) to celebrate the onset of spring. You will have • Airport meet-and-greet and transfers plenty of time to visit some of the city’s 17 World Heritage Sites too, of course. • Breakfast every day plus some lunches & dinners Within a couple of hours of Tokyo, the Fuji- Day by day • Selected entrance fees include Hakone-Izu National Park is a haven of natural splendour. With stunning views of Mount Fuji Many of our customers choose to arrive a • Solo travellers: a single room is available across Lake Ashi and a profusion of volcanic day or two early to get over jet-lag and get throughout on payment of a mandatory hot springs, you’ll have the chance to relax the most out of the tour. Whatever the case, supplement and unwind in a traditional onsen bath stay we will be happy to make arrangements to in traditional Japanese accommodation and suit your needs. visit a world-class sculpture park in an unbeatable setting. Day 1 Tokyo (D) On arrival in Tokyo you will be met at the airport This is an active tour packed with opportunities by your driver and travel by shuttle bus to your for exploration, good value mid-range hotel in the Asakusa district where your tour leader accommodation and a variety of meals will be waiting to meet you in the lobby. The rest included. With your tour leader to steer you of today will be free for you to explore the low-rise through the most fascinating aspects of these market stalls and beautiful red temple of Senso- superb destinations, this tour offers a classic ji, a few minutes’ walk from the hotel, before sightseeing experience in comfort, at a fantastic a welcome meeting this evening. This will be time of year. followed by an included group meal at one of the area’s excellent restaurants. PAGE 1 www.InsideJapanTours.com • [email protected] UK: 0117 244 3380 US: 303 952 0379 AUS: 07 3186 8800 ABTA No.Y6295 Day 2 Tokyo (B) This afternoon you will have some time to explore Day 10 Kyoto (B) Today will be split between a guided tour by your the lovely Sanno-machi district of Takayama, where Day ten of your tour will be free for you to tour leader in the morning exploring the metropolis you can peruse craft shops and perhaps stop in at continue exploring Kyoto’s myriad sights, or to comprised of multiple city centres each with it own one or two of the town’s breweries for a spot of make a day trip out of the city. Your tour leader distinct character and an afternoon private coach sake-tasting. will be heading out to one of their favourite day- tour with a local guide, giving you extensive insight trip spots – perhaps the nearby ancient city of Nara into the history and modern aspects of Tokyo life. This evening you’ll return to your homely traditional or the spectacular samurai castle at Himeji. You ryokan inn for an elaborate, multi- course kaiseki may even want to head (unguided) as far away The day begins by heading downstream to the dinner, served Japanese-style. We absolutely as Hiroshima and the wonderful Miyajima Island, former Shogun residence of Hamarikyu, now recommend taking advantage of the ryokan’s hot famed for its huge red Shinto gate in the sea, a beautiful public garden with a central pond, spring baths before bed this evening! roaming deer and maple forests. If there is and grand vistas of the surrounding skyscrapers somewhere you would particularly like to visit, and Tokyo Bay. Time allowing, we can head to Day 6 Takayama (B) your tour leader will be happy to help you make Ueno to experience market life and have lunch A local guide will be at hand to lead you through independent arrangements for today. before meeting our local guide and driver for the this charming historic town today. You will be afternoon. Next we’ll travel by private bus across sure to take in the wonderful riverside morning **Please note the torii gate at Itsukushima to the city’s west side, where the wacky fashion market, where you’ll get a look at the fresh local Shrine (on Miyajima) .is currently undergoing quarter of Harajuku borders the verdant imperial produce and crafts. Hida no Sato Folk Village, renovation since June 2019 and will continue shrine complex of Meiji Jingu. With a curiosity just out of town, is an open-air museum where to for at least a year, to repair salt water on every street corner, Tokyo is sure to keep you you can wander amongst traditional, thatched damage. The torii gate may be partially stimulated throughout. gassho zukuri farmhouses – a great opportunity covered with vinyl sheets during this time. catch a glimpse of Japanese mountain life, pre- Day 3 Tokyo (B) industrialisation. Day 11 Hakone (B, D) Today you will be free to accompany your tour It’s all aboard the bullet train for the journey to leader on an excursion to Kamakura or Nikko, Dinner is not included tonight, so we suggest Hakone, one of Japan’s most popular hot spring spend some more time exploring Tokyo, or heading out to try some succulent Hida beef, the resorts, and part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National perhaps branch out on an independent day trip. pride of the local people. It may not be as well- Park. This afternoon we’ve included tickets to the known as the Kobe variety, but by all accounts it’s Chokoku no Mori Open-Air Museum, where you’ll Kamakura is a lovely seaside town, famous for its just as tasty! find sculptures by Moore, Rodin, Kusama and giant Buddha and numerous sacred sites, Picasso amid beautiful scenery. Take your time to craft shops, boutiques, nature walks and pleasant Day 7 Kanazawa (B) absorb the great works of art and alpine setting. beaches. If weather permits, your leader will offer a Today you will leave the mountains behind in After you’ve worked up a healthy appetite in the short, two-hour hike to some of the famous sights, exchange for a day in Kanazawa on the Japan Sea fresh mountain air, relax for the evening as we such as the giant Buddha. Alternatively, you can Coast. Travelling by private coach the journey will treat you and the group to a scrumptious dinner head to the same sights by taxi, bus or train. take us through stunning scenery. Like Kyoto, the at our accommodation this evening. If Kamakura doesn’t tickle your fancy, you might city of Kanazawa escaped bombing during World opt to go it alone and visit Nikko, home to a War II thanks to its wealth of historical buildings Day 12 Hakone (B) wonderfully elaborate shrine complex and resting and cultural achievements – meaning that today Your included “Hakone Free Pass” tickets allow place of Japan’s most important shogun, Tokugawa it is one of Japan’s best-preserved historical cities. unlimited travel on nearly all of the diverse Ieyasu. Your tour leader will be happy to help you Wander the geisha districts, visit Edo-period houses transport in the Hakone region. With a full day to plan your day.